U.S. long careless in Middle East

Bob Corker claims that the U.S. cannot afford to vacate its "leadership role" in the world. But charging around like a bull in a china shop is not "leadership," and that is what the U.S. has been doing in the Middle East for decades.

Was it in the "national interests" of Americans for the CIA to engineer the coup, Operation Ajax, that led to the rise of the Shah of Iran? Was it in Americans' best interests for their government to lie about WMDs as a pretext to invade Iraq?

Leadership requires wisdom, and if our leaders can only act foolishly in the Middle East, we should stop trying to lead and mind our own business. As a wise man, Will Rogers, once pointed out, the worst thing Americans do is manage other people's business. And that seems self-evidently true, since our government struggles to manage our own internal affairs.

Mike Burch

Nashville 37221

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U.S. long careless in Middle East

Bob Corker claims that the U.S. cannot afford to vacate its 'leadership role' in the world. But charging around like a bull in a china shop is not 'leadership,' and that is what the U.S. has been